PG Gaming Roundup - February 6, 2009

It's that time of day again, and here we have a few meaty tidbits of gaming goodness to chew on including news of DC Universe Online and Need for Speed Online.

Activision Gears Up to Tackle TransformersThe company announced this morning that it is currently working on games based on the upcoming movie, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Developed by Beenox Studios for the PC (Luxoflux is handling the PS3 and X360 versions), RotF allows the player to take the roll of an AUTOBOT or DECEPTICON via a large and diverse range of playable Transformers. Players can change instantly between vehicle and robot modes "as they drive, fly, fight, and blast their way through intense, pressure-packed levels." Aside from the single-player campaign, RotF will also offer online multiplayer modes as well. Resistance is futile... wait, that's the Borg.

Need for Speed Online Invades ChinaYesterday Electronic Arts said that EA China will publish Need for Speed Online in Taiwan and Hong Kong. The upcoming free to play, multiplayer PC-only online game will enter its first phase of testing next month (March 2009). According to the company, the game offers numerous racetracks and game modes where players are able to form teams to take on the competition and the police. The game will offer a free roaming environment where players can collect and customize racing characters alongside authentic real-world licensed cars.

Buy Virtual Items at PlaySpin MarketplaceApparently, PlaySpan Marketplace and Gravity Interactive have teamed up to provide automated in-game delivery of virtual items bought at the PlaySpan Marketplace for the MMORPGs, Ragnarok and Rose Online. The company said that once players purchase exclusive items through the Marketplace (such as the Weekend Hunting Pack), they simply visit a special character within the games to receive the purchased item. PlaySpan said that 25 additional titles are supported, enabling customers to purchase virtual items, subscriptions, time codes, starter packs, and virtual currencies in a secure publisher authorized environment.

Marv Wolfman Joins DC Universe Online TeamSony Online Entertainment said that award-winning writer Marv Wolfman has joined the creative team at WildStorm Productions, the developer currently working with SOE to bring the DC Universe to life on the PlayStation 3 and the PC. Infamous in the comic world for his work in Crisis on Infinite Earths, Batman and Superman, and the New Teen titans, Wolfman will write "compelling story arcs, exciting quests and in-game events for DCUO." Outside Blade and the Teen titans, Wolfman has received numerous awards and recognition for his work, including the SCRIBE award for best speculative fiction novel adaptation for Superman Returns, and a special commendation by the White House for his work on three anti-drug comics for the “Just Say No” program.